HIGH FIVE: The reasons why UCLA and USC each need to win Saturday's game at the Rose Bowl

Every season, there's another set of reasons why this annual USC-UCLA college football matchup matters in the grander scheme of things.

Even if it's simply avoiding the humiliation of losing a bet with a co-worker and getting stuck wearing the other team's jersey around the office for a week.

Version 2012 will have a definite retro look to it - and it's more than just going back to the tradition of each team wearing its dark home uniforms, even though this is UCLA's home contest at the Rose Bowl (noon kickoff, Channel 11).

To the winner goes the Pac-12 South Division title, a guarantee to play in the second Pac-12 Championship game and a shot at playing in the Rose Bowl.

Beyond that, each team wants it more because:

FIVE REASONS FOR UCLA TO WIN

1. Jim Mora, despite using 25 freshmen this season, has seen too much success in his first year to let it slip away. Getting the Bruins from off the radar to No. 16 in the USA Today coaches' poll is the best they've been ranked this late in the season since No. 13 in the coaches' poll at the end of 2005. Only one coach has captured more wins in his first season as UCLA's head coach than Mora's eight - that was Terry Donahue's nine in 1976.

2. Johnathan Franklin, already the school's career rushing leader, can go over the 4,000-yard mark with 71 yards on the ground today. He has a modest 192 yards on 25 carries and one touchdown in his previous three games vs. USC.

3. Banning USC's drum major from jamming his sword into midfield during the pregame ceremony is going to look oh, so petty if it loses now.

4. It would make the 13-9 upset of 2006 seem not-so-random. Although you'll surely see people wearing T-shirts around the Rose Bowl today with simply the numbers "13-9" across their chest.

5. They wouldn't mind a rematch against Oregon, either, in the Pac-12 title game - especially after last year's 49-31 loss. Only this time, could they sneak a now-eligible Shabazz Muhammad onto the roster as a surprise tight end?

FIVE REASONS FOR USC TO WIN

1. This would be their sixth win in a row in the series and keeps the streak alive to topple UCLA's record of eight straight from 1991 to 1998. (Yes, USC did win seven in a row from 1999 to 2005, but the last two wins had to be vacated because of NCAA sanctions due to Reggie Bush's participation while ineligible.)

2. It's no misprint: UCLA enters the game with a higher ranking than USC for the first time since 2001 and more wins since 2000. The Trojans are also 7-8 in games against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Would a loss here send head coach Lane Kiffin, and his dad, defensive coordinator Monte, on the L.A. walk of shame, catching up to Mike Brown?

3. Matt Barkley is like the footballs on the Trojan sidelines: He doesn't need to be over-inflated to be appreciated. The senior probably doesn't even realize he's thrown for 827 yards and eight touchdowns in three combined games against UCLA in his career. Wanna push for 1,000?

4. Marqise Lee's Heisman campaign could get a huge boost. The sophomore is second nationally in all-purpose yards, and he might show up playing some defense as well. Pay attention.

5. You don't get second chances much in college football, but a win would likely get them a rematch with Oregon, but this time in Eugene, on Nov. 30. The Ducks ran off with that crazy 62-51 win two weeks ago at the Coliseum that caused many cases of whiplash.